JP3167598B2 - Ink tank and inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a replaceable ink tank and an ink jet recording apparatus using the ink tank, and more particularly to a cartridge type ink tank having an ink storage chamber and a waste ink storage chamber. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink cartridge of the type shown in FIG. 1 is known as an example of a conventional ink tank. FIG.
(A) is a diagram showing a cross section of a side surface of the ink cartridge, and (B) is a front view.

[0003] As shown in the sectional view, the ink cartridge 10 includes an ink storage chamber 1 and a waste ink storage chamber 2. Rubber stoppers 4 for penetrating the ink supply needles are provided at two places at the end of the ink storage chamber 1, and similarly, rubber stoppers 4 are provided at one end at the end of the waste ink storage chamber 2.
Except for the penetrating portion of the needle, these rubber stoppers 4 are provided for the case member of the ink cartridge, the ink absorber 6 and the rubber stopper 6.
And a structure sandwiched between them. With this structure, when the ink cartridge is removed from the printer, the ink adhering to the ink supply needle that comes out of the cartridge along with the ink cartridge can be removed by the ink absorber 6, and the ink adhered to the supply needle contaminates the inside of the printer. And clogging of the supply needle itself can be prevented.

The waste ink storage chamber 2 is connected at one end to a waste ink storage chamber 2.
The ink supply needle penetrates the storage portion of the lower layer so as to correspond to the storage portion of the lower layer. That is, the supply needle connected to the ink supply path of the ink jet recording apparatus penetrates into the waste ink storage chamber 2, whereby the waste ink discharged in the ejection recovery processing or the like flows into the lower part of the waste ink storage chamber 2. can do. Absorber 8 is filled in substantially the entire waste ink storage chamber 2, and the waste ink flowing into the lower layer is absorbed by absorber 8 in the lower layer. As the waste ink flows, the region of the absorber 8 that holds the waste ink gradually spreads to the upper absorber 8, and along with this, a part of the waste ink oozes out of the absorber. On the other hand, a partition wall 2A is provided adjacent to the end of the waste ink absorber 8 in the upper layer portion, so that the above-described exuded ink is removed from the partition wall until the waste ink amount exceeds the holding capacity of the absorber. 2A
Accordingly, it is impossible to move to the portion on the right side where there is no absorber. Only when the accumulated amount of waste ink exceeds the holding capacity of the absorber, the exuded waste ink is removed from the partition wall 2.
The liquid overflows from A and moves to the right-hand chamber, where the liquid level is raised to reach the predetermined waste liquid detection electrodes 301a and 301b.

That is, one end of each of the electrodes 301a and 301b protrudes into a chamber defined by the partition 2A of the waste ink storage chamber 2 (see FIG. 1A), while the other ends of these electrodes are connected to the end face of the ink cartridge. (See FIG. 1B). Then, the electrode on the end surface side can come into contact with a predetermined electrode on the main body side when the ink cartridge is mounted on the main body of the apparatus.
In such a configuration, the amount of waste ink in the waste ink storage chamber 2 increases, and the two electrodes 301a and
When the connection between the main body 01b and the main body 01b is made via the waste ink, the main body can detect that the waste ink has reached a predetermined amount at a predetermined threshold value. As a result, for example, replacement of the ink cartridge 10 can be prompted.

An air communication section 9 is provided above the rear end of the waste ink storage chamber 2, and the inside of the waste ink storage section 2 and the atmosphere outside the ink cartridge are communicated through the communication section 9. can do.

[0007]

However, the conventional ink tank is, as described above, an ink reservoir 1
And the waste ink storage chamber 2 are integrally formed, and therefore, there are the following problems to be solved mainly from a structural viewpoint.

In the conventional ink cartridge, when the waste liquid detection electrode is attached as described above, a step of opening a hole for inserting the electrode into the wall of the waste ink storage chamber is required. Also, by opening this hole, it is necessary to seal around the mounting hole after the electrode is mounted, and further steps will be repeated, and if this sealing is insufficient, waste ink may leak out, The reliability of the waste ink storage chamber may be impaired. Further, in the above sealing configuration,
There is a possibility that the sealing material covers the electrode and the electrode does not function well.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional waste liquid detecting structure,
Depending on the posture in which the ink cartridge is mounted or the posture of the printer or the like in which the ink cartridge is mounted, before the liquid level of the waste ink reaches between the electrode 301a and the electrode 301b and the predetermined amount of the waste liquid is detected, There is a possibility that the ink leaks from the air communication port 9.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to reliably detect overflow of waste ink from an ink tank.
An object of the present invention is to provide an ink tank which can improve the hermeticity of an ink storage chamber and a waste ink storage chamber, is highly reliable and easy to use, and an ink jet recording apparatus using the ink tank.

[0011]

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided:
In an ink tank for storing the ink used in the recording device and the ink used in the recording device, an ink container for storing the ink used in the recording device,
Atmospheric communication hole for storing ink used in the recording device
There a member to be subjected and the waste ink container, the coupling between the ink container and one or provided in both the ink container and waste ink container of the waste ink container equipped with a
Te, a coupling member forming a guide path for guiding the ink flowing out of the air communication hole to a predetermined portion of the ink container or the waste ink container, wherein arranged at a predetermined position, the waste ink is guided to the predetermined site detection And a waste ink detecting member.

An ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording medium using an ink jet head is an ink tank for storing ink used in the ink jet recording apparatus and ink used in the recording apparatus. An ink container for storing the ink used in the recording device, a waste ink container having an atmosphere communication hole for storing the ink used in the recording device, and either one of the ink container and the waste ink container or A coupling member provided on both sides for coupling the ink container and the waste ink container, the coupling member forming a guide path for guiding ink flowing out from the air communication hole to a predetermined portion of the ink container or the waste ink container. And waste ink detection for detecting waste ink that is disposed at the predetermined site and guided to the predetermined site. Using the ink tank and a stage,
A waste ink detecting mechanism for detecting that the waste ink comes into contact with the waste ink detecting means is provided.

According to the above configuration, when the ink leaks, the detection is performed. In particular, since the leaked ink is guided to a predetermined portion, and a detection member such as an electrode is disposed at the portion,
Ink leakage can be reliably detected.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which 11 is an ink container, 12 is a lid of the ink container 11, and these members are used for ink. The storage chamber 1 is formed. Reference numeral 13 denotes a waste ink container.
Accommodates the absorber 14. The absorber 14 is for absorbing and holding the ink collected in the waste ink container 13. A waste ink lid 15 is attached to the waste ink container containing the absorber 14, thereby forming a waste ink storage chamber. The lid 12 is attached to the ink container 11 by ultrasonic welding. Similarly, the waste ink container 13 and the waste ink lid 15 are assembled by an ultrasonic welding method.

At one end of the lid 12 of the ink container 11 and one end of the waste ink container 13, there are provided housings 20 each forming a communication port.
6 is assembled, and the crown 17 is further assembled, thereby forming a connection portion with the apparatus main body for ink distribution and the like. The ink container 11 and the waste ink container 13 are engaged and united by a locking portion 18 and a locking claw 19 as described later to form an integral ink tank, that is, an ink cartridge. A case 302 is attached to the inside of the lid 12 of the ink container 11, and two electrodes 301a and 301b are attached to the case 302, with one end thereof facing the front.
The other end is attached to the back side. An ink absorber 302a is attached to one end of the case 302. Note that, instead of using such an absorber, a member made of, for example, a plurality of fins and capable of generating a predetermined capillary force and holding ink may be provided at the same location in the case 302.
Alternatively, a predetermined ink receiving portion may be provided below the waste ink container without providing such an ink holding member in the case 302.

Hereinafter, the manufacture of the ink tank of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart of the ink cartridge manufacturing process shown in FIG.

The ink container 11 and its lid 12, the waste ink container 13, the waste ink lid 15, and the crown 17 are formed as individual parts in advance by injection molding. In the present embodiment, a rubber material is used for the elastic body 16, but a material formed of this rubber or a material formed by injection or the like is used. Further, as the absorber 14, a material formed by stamping an absorbent material such as laminated paper with a die or the like can be used. In addition, an elastomer can be used as a material of the elastic body 16.

As the process, first, (1) the ink container 11
And the lid 12 are assembled by ultrasonic welding. At this time, since the ink container 11 and the lid 12 have a structure in which the ink is directly inserted, it is desirable that the ink container 11 and the lid 12 be cleaned as needed before being assembled. (2) Next, a leak check is performed to confirm the state of the welded portion of the assembled product. This is, for example, 2
It can be performed by using one of the two housings (see FIG. 2) as a pressure detection hole, pressurizing the inside via the other, and confirming whether or not there is a pressure fluctuation for a certain period of time in that state. However, if the welding itself is stable,
Leak checking may not be performed in all cases, but may be performed on some of the samples or not at all.

(3) Next, the absorber 1 is placed in the waste ink container 13.
(4) The waste ink lid 15 is attached to the waste ink container 13 by ultrasonic welding. (5) Also in this case, a leak check of the welded portion is performed as necessary. The internal pressurization in this case can be performed through the atmosphere communication hole 36 (see FIG. 2).

(6) The ink container and the waste ink container assembled without leak as described above are combined. This combination can be achieved by engaging a locking portion 18 provided on the ink container 11 with a locking claw 19 provided on the waste ink container 13 as described later.

(7) Next, the ink container 11 is set in the ink injector so that the side of the ink container 11 on which the housing 20 is provided faces upward, and one of the housings 20 of the lid 12 is used as an injection port, and the other is used as the other. Is used as an exhaust port for internal air to inject the required amount of ink. (8) Thereafter, a weight check or the like is performed as necessary to confirm the ink injection amount.

When the ink injection is completed, (9) the elastic body 1
6 is attached to the housing 20 of each of the ink container and the waste ink container, (10) the crown 17 is fitted thereon, and the assembly of the connecting portion is completed. Thereafter, (11) a label (not shown) is attached to a portion to be described later of the side surface of the ink container and the waste ink container. (12) Electrodes 301a and 301b for detecting overflow of waste ink
Flexible printed wiring board (FP)
C) 301 (shown by a broken line in FIG. 2) is attached to the case 302, and (13) the case 302 to which the ink absorber 302a is attached in advance is attached to the lid 12 of the ink container 11.
Assemble to. (14) At the time of mounting the apparatus main body, the color identification plate 21 for preventing erroneous mounting of the cartridge is cut into a pattern corresponding to the color of the ink contained therein.

The above steps complete the ink cartridge. Note that the process flow described above is an example, and it is needless to say that the process flow does not necessarily have to be performed in this order.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge completed as described above, and FIG. 5 is a front view of the ink cartridge viewed from the side of the coupling portion with the apparatus main body.

As is clear from the above description of the manufacturing process, the process of assembling the ink container 11 and the lid 12 and the process of storing the absorber 14 in the waste ink container 13 and assembling the waste ink lid 15 are completely different. Since the ink container 11 is performed in another step, it is possible to prevent the inside of the ink container 11 from being stained with the waste of the absorber 14 in particular.

In addition, since it is possible to individually confirm whether or not the welding of the ink container and the waste ink container has been performed reliably, the inspection is easy. Is easy to determine, and it is easy to investigate the cause and take countermeasures. As a result, a failure due to a failure in the assembling conditions and the like does not continue forever, and it is sufficient to respond to one of the failures of the ink container or the waste ink container, and the yield is improved and the ink tank with high reliability is provided. Can be provided. Furthermore, as is clear from the drawing, the area for welding can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional example, so that welding can be stably performed even against unstable factors such as warpage of parts and dimensional variations, In addition, it is possible to obtain effects such as not requiring a large welding device. Conversely, if this effect is utilized, it is possible to manufacture an ink cartridge having a larger capacity than before.

Further, since the welding area can be reduced as described above, a gas barrier property, such as polypropylene (PP) or polybutylene terephthalanol (PBT), is high, and as a material for an ink tank container. Is ideal, but it is possible to perform reliable welding even on materials that are difficult to use due to poor welding properties. In particular, since the PP material has a low material cost and also has transparency, forming the tank container with the PP material makes it possible to visually check the remaining amount of ink, which can be convenient for the user.

Next, in FIG. 4, the bottom surface 11a of the ink container 11 is formed so that the connecting portion side becomes lower in a state where the ink container 11 is united with the waste ink container 13, so that the connecting portion 20B The ink can be concentrated on the side. Note that the inclination of the bottom surface can also be formed by using a draft when the ink container 11 is formed by injection molding.

The atmosphere communication hole 36 provided in the waste ink container 13 keeps the inside of the waste ink container 13 at atmospheric pressure, so that the waste ink can flow smoothly from the apparatus main body through the connecting portion 20C. . This atmosphere communication hole 36
Is provided at a position distant from the coupling portion 20C of the waste ink container 13. This means that the waste ink container 13 is located at a relatively high position and does not leak to the outside until the inside is full even if a large amount of waste ink is recovered. .

Further, in the worst case, when the collected waste ink overflows, the ink always flows to the front, that is, to the side of the connecting portion 20C, and the waste ink lid 1 that the user can touch.
The ink does not flow around the handle of No. 5. This is because the wall 13a of the ceiling of the waste ink container is lower at the joint 20C side, and as shown in FIG.
Are provided on the upper surface of the ink container 11 for coupling and positioning with the ink container 11, and these form a guide portion for overflowing waste ink. That is, in FIG. 9, guide members 40 a and 40 b are provided on the upper surface of the waste ink container 13 to guide the engaging operation when the engaging claw 19 engages with the engaging portion 18 of the ink container 11. In addition, a wall member 40 for projecting the locking claw 19 is provided at the handle-side end portion. Is formed.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 44 denotes a notch necessary for forming the locking claw 19 on the rear end side of the waste ink container because of a mold. Therefore, the notch 44 may be used depending on the type of injection molding. Is unnecessary. Further, the cutout portion 44 can make the path of the waste ink a closed space by attaching a label in a range indicated by a dashed line in FIG.
It is possible to prevent ink from leaking from the cutout portion 44.

The inclination of the ceiling of the waste ink container 13 can be formed by using a draft like the bottom surface 11a of the ink container 11.

Regarding the configuration of the waste ink path described above, if the pressure of the waste ink flowing into the waste ink container 13 during collection of the waste ink is relatively high due to the specifications of the apparatus and the like, the waste ink in the container is discharged from the communication hole 36. This may cause ejection and unnecessary ink leakage. In such an ink cartridge used in the apparatus main body, a configuration as shown in FIG. 10 is desirable.

That is, the air communication hole 36 is provided closer to the connecting portion 20C than in the case shown in FIG. 9, and an ink guide groove 46 extending from the air communication hole 36 to the connecting portion 20 is formed. Attach 47. Lid member 47
For example, a member such as a tape can be used. 9 and 10, the electrodes and the case to which the electrodes are attached are not shown.

As described above, by forming the waste ink guiding groove from the air communication hole 36 to the connection part side, the waste ink can be reliably connected to the connection part no matter what kind of waste ink recovery system of the apparatus main body. Can be guided to the side.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the ink guided to the connecting portion faces the end of the guide path formed on the upper surface of the waste ink container 13 so as to block the guide path. Touch the arranged electrodes 301a and 301b.

According to this configuration, when waste ink leaks from the air communication hole, the ink is always guided to the detection electrode, so that the leak of the waste ink can be reliably detected. This is not limited to the case where the waste ink fills and overflows the container. Even before the container is filled with the waste ink, the outflow of the waste ink caused by a change in the environmental pressure or a change in the attitude of the waste ink container. This means that outflow of waste ink that can occur in any situation can be detected. In addition, since it is not necessary to make a hole or the like for attaching an electrode for a waste ink sensor to the waste ink container, a highly reliable ink cartridge with good sealing of the waste ink container can be provided.

Since the ink that has come into contact with the electrodes is thereafter absorbed and held by the absorber 302a located immediately below the electrodes, there is no possibility that the inside of the apparatus will be contaminated with the ink.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the waste ink sensor electrodes 301a and 301b viewed from the waste ink container side.

The electrodes 301a and 301b are formed on the FPC and form a pattern as shown by a black portion in the figure. As described above, electrodes 301a and 3
One end of each of the containers 01b is drawn out along the case 302 to the end face of the joint portion of the container. The electrode pulled out to the container end face can come into contact with the electrode on the device side when mounted on the device main body. As described above, when the waste ink leaks and touches the electrodes 301a and 301b, the resistance value between the electrodes changes due to the presence of the waste ink between these electrodes, and by detecting this, it is determined that the waste ink has leaked. It becomes possible to know.

FIG. 7 shows another example of the waste ink sensor electrode.

The electrode shown in FIG. 7 is formed by pressing a thin sheet metal. As in the above example using the FPC, the portion facing the portion where the waste ink is guided has two electrodes arranged at a narrow interval, and it is possible to detect leakage of the waste ink by contacting with the waste ink. . The cost of sheet metal pressing can be lower than in the case of using FPC, so that the cost of the entire ink tank can be reduced.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the waste ink sensor.

The sensor shown in FIG. 8 is different from the above-described sensor using electrodes, and is constituted by a porous absorber 304 for absorbing waste ink. When the waste ink leaks, the absorber absorbs the ink and changes its color. In contrast, the apparatus body has an optical sensor and reads the change in the color of the absorber to detect overflow of the waste ink. .

According to this configuration, since there is no electrical contact between the main body and the ink tank, erroneous detection due to poor contact can be eliminated, and the reliability of waste ink leak detection can be increased.

Although the various embodiments described above relate to a configuration for detecting ink leakage from a waste ink container, the same configuration can be applied to a normal ink container having no such waste ink container. It is clear that can be taken.

[0049]

As can be seen from the above description, according to the present invention, when ink leaks out, the detection is performed.
Since the leaked ink is guided to a predetermined site and a detection member such as an electrode is arranged at the site, it is possible to reliably detect ink leakage.

As a result, reliable detection of ink leakage can be performed regardless of the state of the ink tank, and the sealing performance of the ink storage chamber and the waste ink storage chamber can be improved. An ink jet recording apparatus using the tank and the ink tank can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are a side view and a front view, respectively, of a conventional example of an ink tank.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an ink cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an assembly process of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment as viewed from a portion connected to an apparatus body.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a waste ink leak sensor electrode used in the ink cartridge of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another example of a waste ink leak sensor electrode.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of a waste ink leak sensor.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an engagement portion of the waste ink container that forms the ink cartridge according to the embodiment with the ink container.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of the engaging portion.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 Ink tank (ink cartridge) 11 Ink container 12 Lid 13 Waste ink container 14 Absorber 15 Waste ink lid 16 Elastic body 17 Crown 18 Locking portion 19 Locking claw 20 Housing portion 22 Pressing portion 28 Locking projection b 29 Locking projection a 30 Spring part 36 Atmospheric communication hole 40a, 40b Guide member 46 Guide groove 301 Flexible wiring board (FPC) 301a, 301b Electrode 302a Ink absorber 304 Absorber

Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Seiichiro Karita 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Kiyomi Aono 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroki Tajima 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Koizumi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Invention Person: Kazuho Haida 5-140-2-702, Hie-cho, Minami-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture (56) References JP-A-6-340089 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/175

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ink tank for storing ink used in a printing apparatus and ink used in the printing apparatus, an ink container storing the ink used in the printing apparatus, and an ink used in the printing apparatus. Air communication hole for storing
And a member provided in one or both of the ink container and the waste ink container for coupling the ink container and the waste ink container, the waste ink container comprising: A coupling member that forms a guide path for guiding the ink to be discharged to a predetermined portion of the ink container or the waste ink container; and a waste ink detection member that is disposed at the predetermined portion and that detects the waste ink guided to the predetermined portion. An ink tank comprising: Wherein said waste ink detecting member has a plurality of electrodes, according to claim, characterized in that for sensing of the waste ink by the change in the electrical state due to contact with waste ink to the electrodes of the plurality of 2. The ink tank according to 1 . 3. The waste ink detecting member has an absorber.
The ink tank according to claim 1 , wherein the waste ink is detected by optically reading a color change caused by the absorption of the waste ink by the absorber. 4. The ink tank according to claim 1 , wherein the ink guide path is formed by a guide surface of the coupling member that guides the coupling operation. 5. The ink tank according to claim 1 , wherein the ink guide path is a groove formed on a guide surface of the coupling member for guiding the coupling operation. As wherein the member forming the ink guide path, according to yet one of three claims 1, characterized in that comprises a label to be attached over both of said ink container and said waste ink container Ink tank. 7. The coupling member includes an engagement recess, an engagement snap portion locked in the recess by elastic deformation thereof,
Claim and having a spring portion for biasing the snap portions for engaging in the direction of fixing the latching to the recessed portion 1
7. The ink tank according to any one of items 6 to 6 . 8. The ink tank according to claim 7 , wherein the snap portion has an engagement claw that engages with a tip of each of the engagement concave portion and the spring portion. 9. in the ink container, an ink tank according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the ink is filled. 10. An ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording medium using an ink jet head, comprising: an ink tank for storing ink used in the ink jet recording apparatus and ink used in the recording apparatus. An ink container for storing ink used in the recording device; and an air communication hole for storing ink used in the recording device.
And a member provided in one or both of the ink container and the waste ink container for coupling the ink container and the waste ink container, and flowing out of the air communication hole. A coupling member that forms a guide path that guides ink to a predetermined portion of the ink container or the waste ink container; and a waste ink detection unit that is disposed at the predetermined portion and that detects waste ink guided to the predetermined portion. An ink jet recording apparatus, comprising a waste ink detecting mechanism for detecting that the waste ink has come into contact with the waste ink detecting means, using an ink tank having the ink tank.